Some say that artists are always making ‘themselves’ in their work. Much of my early visual art work was indeed self portraiture. It makes sense since I was studying the figure from a very classical point of view, and as I was the model who was always available any time I was ready to work, self portraits were a common occurrence. It was also a form of self exploration…you know the kind one does in their early twenties (and for many, well beyond). In my last year of art school I started creating more symbolic work and incorporating the self-portrait into various forms. I’m blown away at how these images and objects from what feels like a past life have found their way back into my consciousness and into my current work. These older images have become the fodder for making new images for a new perfume and holding space for the energy behind what will be the first launch of 2017 for DSH Perfumes.

“moon, 2” egg tempera on paper, DSH 1992

“lilith” egg tempera on paper, DSH 1992

I can’t yet announce the name and the full concept, but later this month I’ll be able to spill the beans. ( I clearly can’t wait!) It’s for a ‘mystery project’ that really resonated with me and how I feel I am navigating the world right now (slowly emerging from the early childhood phase of mommyhood, and post-election). The project also prompted a major ‘looking inward’ and even, a digging into the past to find these artifacts.

“totem” clay pot 1992, DSH

I thought that for this post I would just share some of the images that helped inspire what’s coming out next. It’s all art work from the early 1990’s that is coming back around to feel perfectly relevant now. It’s amazing how these pieces fit seamlessly into the project and the visual story telling of the design. And in terms of the kind of artistic and spiritual integration that I am going through right now, these couldn’t be more powerful. I hope that you like them. ❤